Pipe brackets and pipe hanging system

ABSTRACT

A method of installing a piping system, including applying mark(s) to a surface along a line parallel to a desired center line of the piping system; selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets, each pipe mounting bracket including a mounting portion and a pipe supporting portion projecting from said mounting portion and including an arm portion having a generally arched surface sized and extending to support at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of a pipe and thereby defining a pipe receiving receptacle. Each mounting portion includes a predetermined, indicator part disposed at a predetermined lateral and vertical position with respect to a radial center of a circular part of the arched surface of the respective bracket. The indicator part of each selected bracket is aligned with the mark(s) and the mounting portion of the bracket is fastened to the surface with the fastener.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 11/143,939, filedJun. 3, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,549, the entire contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to brackets and a hanging systemfor supporting fluid-carrying ducts or pipes along a wall or suspendedfrom a ceiling of a building structure.

Conventional plumbing and piping systems generally include one or moremetal or polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipes which distribute fluids such aswater and air to desired locations. It is common for the pipe segmentsalong a pipeline to decrease in diameter in an inflow direction orincrease in diameter in an outflow direction, particularly as the flowis distributed or accumulated, respectively, at pipe junctions. Also, itis common for pipes or ducting to be oriented to follow various wall andceiling surfaces while traversing an area of a building structure.

A variety of clamps and brackets, such as U-shaped brackets andfasteners are known for securing pipe segments along a wall or wallstud. Likewise straps and the like are known for suspending piping froma ceiling or ceiling joints. A problem with some such fasteners is thatthey hold the outer surface of the pipe against the mounting surface sothat, if the pipe diameter changes, the center line of the pipe will notbe maintained in a position defining an axial flow path. Moreover, whena pipe is suspended from above by straps, the position of the strapswill be imprecise, with the consequence that, again, the pipe may not besupported to define a straight flow path therethrough. If the installerwants to apply brackets, straps or the like so that the flow paththrough the pipe will be maintained straight, it is difficult for theinstaller to achieve alone and will require a great deal of planning andmeasurement in advance.

There are also other problems associated with the fasteners that arecommonly used to mount and secure pipes and ducting. For example,installers often feel it is necessary to solder a pipe to a bracket toensure that it is securely supported by a building wall or ceiling, thusadding extra steps to the installation process and increasing the riskof pipe deterioration at the pipe to bracket junction. In a case ofU-shaped brackets or staples, moreover, there is the risk of damage tothe pipe when the fastener is secured, it is not possible to repositionor remove the pipe without detachment of the bracket and there is aparticular risk of scratching or gouging the pipes, and thus also a riskof premature pipe failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved pipe bracketwhich allows pipes to be quickly, easily and securely positioned andsupported horizontally or vertically to a building wall or suspendedfrom a ceiling without having to solder the pipe to the brackets andwithout scratching or gouging the pipes.

It would also be desirable to provide a pipe bracket that permitsmetallic and non-metallic pipes to be quickly, easily and firmly securedto a building wall or ceiling without requiring the use of additionalparts such as inserts.

It would further be desirable to provide a pipe hanging system comprisedof pipe brackets that allow a pipe to be easily mounted in any position,along a wall or ceiling, while providing a constant center line path ofeach pipe segment irrespective of changes in the diameter of the pipes.

The invention provides pipe brackets and a pipe hanging system thatadvantageously realizes the above-described objects. More particularly,the invention provides an improved pipe bracket which allows metallicand non-metallic pipes to be quickly, easily and securely positioned andsupported horizontally, vertically or suspended from a ceiling andwherein the pipe brackets are sized and configured so that irrespectiveof diameter changes of the pipe along its length, the piping can bemounted with the center line of the pipe along a constant center linepath that is parallel to the surface to which the pipe is mounted.

Thus, the invention may be embodied in a pipe bracket comprising: amounting portion including a mounting face for being disposed in opposedfacing relation to a planar surface and secured thereto with at leastone fastener; and a pipe supporting portion projecting from saidmounting portion in a plane generally perpendicular to said mountingface and including an arm portion defining a pipe receiving receptacleconfigured to support at least a portion of an outer circumferentialsurface of a pipe, the generally arched surface of the arm portiondefining said pipe receiving receptacle terminating beyond a point thatis diametrically opposed to the mounting portion and beyond a planethat 1) contains a radial center of a circular part of said archedsurface, 2) is perpendicular to the plane of the pipe supporting portionand 3) is perpendicular to the mounting face, whereby a pipe can besupported by said pipe receiving receptacle of said arm portion bothwhen the mounting portion is mounted to a vertical surface with the pipehorizontally disposed and when the mounting portion is mounted to anoverhead surface to suspend the pipe

The invention may also be embodied in a support assembly for supportinga pipe having segments of different diameter comprising: a plurality ofmounting brackets, each said mounting bracket comprising: a mountingportion including a mounting face for being disposed in opposed facingrelation to a planar surface and secured thereto with at least onefastener; and a pipe supporting portion projecting from said mountingportion in a plane generally perpendicular to said mounting face andincluding an arm portion having a generally arched surface sized andextending to support at least a portion of an outer circumferentialsurface of a pipe and thereby defining a pipe receiving receptacle,wherein at least two said brackets have an arched surface havingrespectively different radii so as to be respectively adapted to receivea pipe segment of differing diameter from the other, and wherein aradial center of a circular part said arched surface of each saidbracket is disposed at a same lateral and vertical position with respectto an predetermined, indicator part of their respective mountingportion.

The invention may further be embodied in a method of installing a pipingsystem, comprising: applying at least one mark to a surface along a lineparallel to a desired center line path of a segment of the pipingsystem; selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets, each said pipemounting bracket comprising: a mounting portion including a mountingface for being disposed in opposed facing relation to a planar surfaceand secured thereto with at least one fastener; and a pipe supportingportion projecting from said mounting portion in a plane generallyperpendicular to said mounting face and including an arm portion havinga generally arched surface sized and extending to support at least aportion of an outer circumferential surface of a pipe and therebydefining a pipe receiving receptacle, wherein each said mounting portionincludes a predetermined, indicator part disposed at a predeterminedlateral and vertical position with respect to a radial center of acircular part said arched surface of said respective bracket; andaligning said indicator part of each said selected bracket with said atleast one mark and fastening each said selected bracket to said surfacewith at least one fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting pipe brackets embodying theinvention supporting piping of various diameters, horizontally andvertically to a wall, and suspended from a ceiling, in accordance withan example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 presents schematic perspective views of pipe brackets embodyingthe invention and provided in various sizes;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates brackets of various sizes mounted alonga chalk line to provide a common pipe centerline irrespective of pipingdiameter, according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pipe bracket for supporting anygenerally cylindrical tubular component such as metal or plastic pipesor ducts (hereinafter generically referred to as pipes). The bracketsprovided in accordance with the invention are respectively configured,as detailed hereinbelow, to receive and support pipes of variouspredetermined diameters so that even a pipe having segments of varyingdiameter can be quickly and easily supported with the common centerlineof the pipe extending along a desired path. While the brackets providedaccording to the invention are particularly suited to rigid pipes, theycould be used to support flexible pipes as well.

In the illustrated example embodiments, the pipe brackets 10,110,210,310are pre-formed polycarbonate brackets and are provided in sizes tosupport 4″, 5″, 6″, or 8″ diameter metal snap-lock, PVC and/orpolyurethane piping 12 horizontally, vertically or overhead. However, itis to be appreciated that additional bracket sizes can be provided toreceive smaller or larger pipes. Also, the brackets could be made ofanother plastic, or metal, material.

Each bracket includes a mounting portion 14,114,214,314 having amounting face for being disposed against and secured to a flat supportsurface, such as a wall or ceiling surface. The mounting portion mayhave fastener holes pre-formed therein for receiving fastener(s), suchas nail(s), bolt(s), or screw(s) to secure the mounting portion to thewall or ceiling. In the alternative, holes may be drilled of a size andin location(s) as deemed necessary or desirable by the end user,depending upon the installation location of the bracket, the weight ofthe piping component to be supported and the composition of the surfaceto which the bracket is being secured. In addition or as yet a furtheralternative, the mounting portion may be secured with a fastenercomprising an adhesive material.

Each pipe bracket further includes a pipe supporting portion 18including an arm portion 20,120,220,320 for engaging to support at leasta portion of the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 12. The pipesupporting portion 18 of the mounting bracket 10 extends in a planeperpendicular to the mounting face 16 of the support bracket and the armportion 20 defines a generally part circular receptacle 22 for receivingthe pipe 12. In the illustrated example embodiment spacer supportcomponents 26,126,226,326 are defined at spaced locations along thearched or curved surface 24,124,224,324 of the arm portion therebysupporting and spacing the outer circumference surface of the associatedpipe from the arched surface of the arm. In the illustrated embodiment,three spacer supports 26,126,226,326 are defined along the archedsurface, two supports are approximately 180° apart in opposed facingrelation and a third disposed about 90° from each of the first twosupports.

The bracket is configured in this example embodiment to support avertically or horizontally oriented pipe on wall or suspended from theceiling. Thus, to ensure support particularly for vertically oriented orceiling supported pipes, the generally arched surface of the arm portionterminates at a free end 28,128,228,328 thereof that is beyond a pointthat is diametrically opposed to the mounting portion 14,114,214,314 andbeyond a plane that 1) contains the radial center of a circular part ofthe arched surface, 2) is perpendicular to the plane of the pipesupporting portion and 3) is perpendicular to the mounting face. In theillustrated embodiment, the arched surface extends through an arch of atleast about 180°. In this way, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when thebracket is mounted to a ceiling, the free end of the arm portion extendsbeyond the vertical bottom of the pipe supported thereby. In theillustrated example embodiment, the pipe 12 supporting portion isintegrally molded with the mounting portion but it is to be understoodthat the mounting portion and pipe supporting portion(s) could beseparately formed and connected by the manufacturer or by the user.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mounting bracket of the invention is offered ina variety of sizes, but in a presently preferred embodiment, eachbracket is characterized in that a radial center of a supported pipe ofcorresponding size is located at a common, predetermined vertical andlateral position with respect to a predetermined, indicator part30,130,230,330 of the mounting portion 14,114,214,314 of the respectivebracket 10,110,210,310. In this way, by aligning the indicator part ofthe mounting portion of each of several brackets along a common mountingline 32 (FIG. 3), the supported pipe will be mounted with a constantcenter line even if the diameter changes along the pipe, so thatcorresponding but different size brackets are used. In an exampleembodiment, the indicator part 30,130,230,330 is in the same horizontalplane as the center line C of a pipe that the bracket is sized toreceive. In the illustrated example embodiment, the indicator part30,130,230,330 of the mounting portion of the bracket is the toplongitudinal end edge of the mounting portion 14,114,214,314, the term“top” being used for convenience to refer to the longitudinal end edgethat is up when the receptacle 22 of the arm portion 20 opens up. It isto be understood, however, that the indicator part of the mountingbracket can be designated by indicia such as a groove or raised bead(not shown) on the mounting portion, provided at a prescribed positionvertically and laterally with respect to the radial center of a circularpart of the arched surface of the pipe supporting portion, so as tolikewise be disposed at a predetermined vertical and lateral positionwith respect to the centerline of the mounted pipe.

In the illustrated embodiment, a web portion 34,134,234,334 is definedbetween the arm portion 20 of the pipe supporting portion and themounting portion 14, the web portion being defined in a plane generallyperpendicular to the mounting face 16 of the mounting portion 14 of thebracket. In an example embodiment, at least one hole 36 is definedthrough the web portion to make it possible to simultaneously feed airand utility lines 38 in parallel to the supported pipe. In theillustrated embodiment, two predrilled holes for such air or utilitylines are provided.

As noted above, the arched surface of the arm portion extends through anarch that terminates more than 180° from the mounting portion 14, tosupport, e.g., ceiling suspended pipes. In the illustrated embodiments,to facilitate placement of the pipe, the inner end portion 40 of thearched surface extends generally straight upwardly and outwardly towardsthe mounting portion to ensure that the pipe can be seated withoutdifficulty on, e.g., the supports 26 of the arched surface 24. In thealternative, the arched surface can be truncated on the mounting portionside end and spaced from the mounting portion 14 to facilitate pipeplacement.

To further ensure that the pipe seated in the receptacle of the armportion will be retained in the mounting bracket, a strap 42,142,242,342is advantageously provided to be detachably secured at at least one endthereof to a respective end of the arm portion 20,120,220,320. By way ofexample, the illustrated strap is formed from vinyl or cloth andincludes button hole receptacles (not shown) at its ends. Also, firstand second buttons 44,144,244,344 having enlarged heads and reduceddiameter neck portion (not shown in detail) are defined at respectiveends of the arm portions 20,120,220,320. Once the pipe is placed in thereceptacle, seated on the arched surface, or on the spacer supports whenprovided, the buttons are respectively inserted through the button holesof the strap of the bracket, to secure the pipe to the arm portion. Asan alternative to the illustrated button attachments, snaps, hooks,Velcro-type fastening material, and other similar mechanical fastenersmay be provided at either or both ends of the strap. Also, as analternative, one end of the strap may be more permanently attached tothe bracket to avoid loss of the strap before the pipe is mounted andsecured.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, to install a piping system,the user snaps a chalk line or otherwise marks a surface with a line 32indicating a predetermined offset of the desired center line path C ofthe pipe. Then, the user drills holes into the brackets, if needed andif not predrilled, to match their application and then secures theappropriately sized mounting brackets to the support surface withfasteners while the indicator parts 30,130,230,330 of the mountingportions 14,114,214,314 are disposed along the common mounting line 32.Once the mounting brackets have been installed, the piping is placed inthe mounting brackets and the straps are attached to hold the piping inplace. Since each bracket has been designed to follow a commoncenterline, mounting height can remain constant regardless of pipingsize. As noted, one or more holes 36 are predrilled through the webportion of the pipe support for added versatility to make it possible tosimultaneously feed air and utility lines 38. As will be appreciated,among other advantages, the ease with which the brackets can bepositioned to mount a pipeline, even of varying diameter, allows oneperson to handle overhead installation.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A method of installing a piping system, comprising: applying at leastone mark to a surface along a line parallel to a desired center linepath of a segment of the piping system; selecting a plurality of pipemounting brackets, each said pipe mounting bracket comprising: amounting portion including a mounting face for being disposed in opposedfacing relation to a planar surface and secured thereto with at leastone fastener; and a pipe supporting portion projecting from saidmounting portion in a plane generally perpendicular to said mountingface and including an arm portion having a generally arched surfacesized and extending to support at least a portion of an outercircumferential surface of a pipe and thereby defining a pipe receivingreceptacle, wherein each said mounting portion includes a predetermined,indicator part disposed at a predetermined lateral and vertical positionwith respect to a radial center of a circular part of said archedsurface of said respective bracket; and aligning said indicator part ofeach said selected bracket with said at least one mark and fasteningeach said selected bracket to said surface with at least one fastener,wherein said step of selecting a plurality of pipe mounting bracketscomprises selecting at least two pipe mounting brackets having archedsurfaces with respectively different radii so as to be respectivelyadapted to receive a pipe segment of differing diameter from the other,and wherein the radial center of said arched surface of each saidbracket is disposed at a same lateral and vertical position with respectto said predetermined, indicator part of their respective mountingportion, so that after the indicator part of each said selected bracketis aligned with the at least one mark and fastened to the surface, theradial center of the arched surface of each said bracket is disposedalong a single, common axis that is parallel to the line along which theat least one mark was applied, and, after said aligning and fastening,placing an elongated pipe into the pipe receiving receptacle of eachsaid selected pipe mounting bracket so that said elongated pipe extendsbetween and is supported by said brackets.
 2. A method as in claim 1,wherein said indicator part of said mounting bracket is a longitudinalend surface of the mounting portion.
 3. A method as in claim 1, whereinsaid indicator part is a predetermined distance from the horizontalplane of the center line of a pipe that the brackets are respectivelysized to receive.
 4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step ofselecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets comprises selecting pipemounting brackets which further include a plurality of spacer supportcomponents disposed at spaced locations along said arched surface forsupporting a pipe disposed in said receptacle at spaced locations aboutan outer circumference thereof.
 5. A method as in claim 1, wherein saidstep of selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets comprisesselecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets which further include atleast one hole defined through the pipe supporting portion thereof andadapted to receive an air or utility line.
 6. A method as in claim 1,wherein said step of selecting a plurality of pipe mounting bracketscomprises selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets which furtherinclude a strap component for bridging an open mouth of said receptacle,at least one end of said strap component being detachably secured tosaid arm portion.
 7. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step ofselecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets comprises selecting aplurality of pipe mounting brackets having said pipe supporting portionof each said pipe bracket integrally formed in one piece with saidrespective mounting portion.
 8. A method as in claim 1, wherein saidstep of selecting a plurality of said mounting brackets comprisesselecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets wherein the indicatorpart of each selected mounting bracket is disposed at a samepredetermined lateral and vertical distance from the radial center ofthe circular part of the arched surface of the respective bracket,irrespective of the radii of the arched surface of the selected bracket.9. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of aligning and fasteningcomprises fastening each said selected bracket to said surface so thatthe radial center of the circular part thereof is disposed along acommon axial line that is parallel to said line along which said atleast one mark was applied.
 10. A method as in claim 1, furthercomprising, after said aligning and fastening, placing an elongated pipeinto the pipe receiving receptacle of each said selected pipe mountingbracket so that said elongated pipe extends between and is supported bysaid brackets.
 11. A method of installing a piping system, comprising:applying at least one mark to a surface along a line parallel to adesired center line path of a segment of the piping system; selecting aplurality of pipe mounting brackets, each said pipe mounting bracketcomprising: a mounting portion including a mounting face for beingdisposed in opposed facing relation to a planar surface and securedthereto with at least one fastener; and a pipe supporting portionprojecting from said mounting portion in a plane generally perpendicularto said mounting face and including an arm portion having a generallyarched surface sized and extending to support at least a portion of anouter circumferential surface of a pipe and thereby defining a pipereceiving receptacle, wherein each said mounting portion includes apredetermined, indicator part disposed at a predetermined lateral andvertical position with respect to a radial center of a circular part ofsaid arched surface of said respective bracket; and aligning saidindicator part of each said selected bracket with said at least one markand fastening each said selected bracket to said surface with at leastone fastener, wherein said step of selecting a plurality of pipemounting brackets comprises selecting a plurality of pipe mountingbrackets wherein the arched surface of the arm portion of each bracketterminates at a free end thereof beyond a point that is diametricallyopposed to the mounting portion and beyond a plane that 1) contains aradial center of a circular part of said arched surface, 2) isperpendicular to the plane of the pipe supporting portion and 3) isperpendicular to the mounting face, whereby a pipe can be supported bysaid pipe receiving receptacle of said arm portion both when themounting portion is mounted to a vertical surface with the pipehorizontally disposed and when the mounting portion is mounted to anoverhead surface to suspend the pipe.
 12. A method as in claim 11,wherein said step of selecting a plurality of pipe mounting bracketscomprises selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets wherein eachsaid arched surface extends through an arch of greater than 180°.
 13. Amethod of installing a piping system, comprising: applying at least onemark to a surface along a line parallel to a desired center line path ofa segment of the piping system; selecting a plurality of pipe mountingbrackets, each said pipe mounting bracket comprising: a mounting portionincluding a mounting face for being disposed in opposed facing relationto a planar surface and secured thereto with at least one fastener; anda pipe supporting portion projecting from said mounting portion in aplane generally perpendicular to said mounting face and including an armportion having a generally arched surface sized and extending to supportat least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of a pipe andthereby defining a pipe receiving receptacle, wherein each said mountingportion includes a predetermined, indicator part disposed at apredetermined lateral and vertical position with respect to a radialcenter of a circular part of said arched surface of said respectivebracket; and aligning said indicator part of each said selected bracketwith said at least one mark and fastening each said selected bracket tosaid surface with at least one fastener, wherein said step of selectinga plurality of pipe mounting brackets includes selecting at least twopipe mounting brackets having an arched surface with respectivelydifferent radii so as to be respectively adapted to receive pipesegments of differing diameter from the other, wherein a radial centerof a circular part of said arched surface of each said bracket isdisposed at a same lateral and vertical position with respect to saidpredetermined, indicator part of their respective mounting portion, andwherein a distance from the radial center of the circular part to theindicator part is identical for each bracket, whereby centers of pipesegments respectively seated on said arched surfaces will all bedisposed at a same lateral and vertical distance from said indicatorpart.
 14. A method as in claim 13, further comprising selecting anelongated pipe having segments of differing diameter and seating saidpipe in the respective pipe receiving receptacle of each said selectedbracket so that the pipe extends through and between each said selectedbracket and wherein a center axis of the elongated pipe is parallel tothe line along which the at least one mark was applied.
 15. A method ofinstalling a piping system, comprising: applying at least one mark to asurface along a line parallel to a desired center line path of a segmentof the piping system; selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets,each said pipe mounting bracket comprising: a mounting portion includinga mounting face for being disposed in opposed facing relation to aplanar surface and secured thereto with at least one fastener; and apipe supporting portion projecting from said mounting portion in a planegenerally perpendicular to said mounting face and including an armportion having a generally arched surface sized and extending to supportat least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of a pipe andthereby defining a pipe receiving receptacle, wherein each said mountingportion includes a predetermined, indicator part disposed at apredetermined lateral and vertical position with respect to a radialcenter of a circular part of said arched surface of said respectivebracket; aligning said indicator part of each said selected bracket withsaid at least one mark and fastening each said selected bracket to saidsurface with at least one fastener, and after said aligning andfastening, placing an elongated pipe into the pipe receiving receptacleof each said selected pipe mounting bracket so that said elongated pipeextends between and is supported by said brackets, wherein said step ofplacing a pipe comprises placing a pipe having a plurality of segmentsof differing diameters along its length and wherein said step ofselecting a plurality of pipe brackets comprises, for each said segment,selecting at least one pipe bracket which has a pipe receivingreceptacle generally corresponding to an outer diameter of said segment.16. A method of installing a piping system, comprising: applying atleast one mark to a surface along a line parallel to a desired centerline path of a segment of the piping system; selecting a plurality ofpipe mounting brackets, each said pipe mounting bracket comprising: amounting portion including a mounting face for being disposed in opposedfacing relation to a planar surface and secured thereto with at leastone fastener; and a pipe supporting portion projecting from saidmounting portion in a plane generally perpendicular to said mountingface and including an arm portion having a generally arched surfacesized and extending to support at least a portion of an outercircumferential surface of a pipe and thereby defining a pipe receivingreceptacle, wherein each said mounting portion includes a predetermined,indicator part disposed at a predetermined lateral and vertical positionwith respect to a radial center of a circular part of said archedsurface of said respective bracket; wherein at least two of saidselected brackets have arched surfaces having respectively differentradii so as to be respectively adapted to receive a pipe segment ofdiffering diameter from the other, and wherein the radial center of saidarched surface of each said bracket is disposed at a same lateral andvertical position with respect to said predetermined, indicator part oftheir respective mounting portion, and aligning said indicator part ofeach said selected bracket with said at least one mark and fasteningeach said selected bracket to said surface with at least one fastener.